Comparison

Master vs NautiNote

Price, ratings, monetisation and update history for both apps, side by side — with what reviewers say about each.

Head to head
About

Master

Learn maritime navigation rules with an interactive system designed for effective retention. This app breaks down complex regulations into manageable sections with visual aids and mnemonics. It revisits incorrect answers and provides instant graphical feedback, making the learning process intuitive and efficient.

Highlights
  • Interactive learning system
  • Step-by-step rule guidance
  • Mnemonics and memory aids
  • Interactive visuals
  • Graphical feedback on answers
  • Practice section with progress tracking
Features
Read full description

Master-Nav is a progressive COLREGS learning system developed by a Master Mariner. The COLREGS are notoriously difficult to learn and retain — Master-Nav makes it significantly easier through an interactive system built around how your brain actually works. Instead of guessing through random question banks, Master-Nav guides you step by step through every rule from start to finish. Wrong answers are revisited until the rules stick — properly. Complex regulations are broken down into learnable chunks — bite-sized sections supported by mnemonics, memory aids and interactive visuals designed around how the brain actually retains information. Every incorrect answer is shown graphically alongside the correct one — immediately clear, no confusion. And with a single tap, the relevant COLREGS rule is accessible from any question at any time. Master-Nav covers COLREGS Parts A to D — General, Steering & Sailing, Lights & Shapes and Sound & Light Signals — plus Annex IV Distress Signals. Over 1000 questions in multiple formats, with a dedicated Practice Section that tracks right, wrong and unanswered so you always know where to focus. COLREGS — the easy way.

About

NautiNote

Features
Read full description

NautiNote is a maritime study app designed to help professional mariners prepare for oral exams and maritime qualifications. Study with structured, exam-focused flashcards, test yourself with daily quizzes, revisit difficult topics with Focused Review, and track your progress as your exam approaches. Current study packs include: • MCA Officer of the Watch • Yachtmaster Offshore • COLREGS • SV EOOW Engineering • SV Chief Engineer NautiNote is built to make maritime revision more focused and manageable, whether you are studying onboard, ashore, or between watches. Key features include: • Qualification-specific flashcard decks • Technical maritime diagrams and illustrations • Daily quizzes • Focused Review for difficult cards • Progress and performance tracking • Offline flashcard study • Monthly and annual subscription options NautiNote helps you spend less time deciding what to study and more time preparing for your exam. Terms of Use: https://www.apple.com/legal/internet-services/itunes/dev/stdeula/

Screenshots

Master4 screens
NautiNote4 screens

Verdict

The call

The clearest difference is price: NautiNote at Free against Master's $1.99. Master's advantage is in-app purchases (none vs 8). On update cadence, ads, device support and iOS requirement there is nothing between them.

Scored on Price · Rating · Positive reviews · Number of ratings · Update frequency · Ads · In-app purchases · Monetization · Best chart rank · Devices · Requires iOS

CostPrice · In-app purchases · Ads · Monetization

NautiNote is free to download; Master costs $1.99 up front. NautiNote sells 8 in-app purchases, starting at $5.99 per month. Master asks for nothing beyond the download.

UpkeepUpdate frequency

Master ships an update fortnightly, NautiNote monthly. The most recent releases landed on October 22, 2026 and October 8, 2026 respectively.

Scorecard2 real differences · 8 level
Master versus NautiNote: the parameters behind the verdict, then further details
ParameterMasterNautiNote
Price$1.99Free — better
Rating4.8 (100 ratings) — better—
Positive reviews96.9% of reviews—
Number of ratings100 — better—
Update frequencyFortnightly — betterMonthly
AdsNoNo
In-app purchasesNo — betterYes
MonetizationPaid—
DevicesiPhone, iPodiPhone, iPad, iPod — better
Requires iOS15.015.0
Further details — not scored
Size117 MB41 MB
Age rating4+4+
DeveloperPeterjohn ChisholmKennett Sinclair

In-app purchases

None

Master

No in-app purchases

8 purchases

NautiNote

Subscriptions8
  • COLREGS Monthly3 Days trial$5.991 Month
  • Chief Monthly3 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • EOOW Monthly3 Days trial$24.991 Month
Show 5 more
  • Officer of the Watch Monthly3 Days trial$24.991 Month
  • COLREGS Annual3 Days trial$49.991 Year
  • SV EOOW Annual Access3 Days trial$179.001 Year
  • Chief Annual3 Days trial$179.001 Year
  • OOW Annual3 Days trial$179.001 Year

Questions

Is Master free?
Master costs $1.99, with no in-app purchases.
Is NautiNote free?
NautiNote is free to download, with in-app purchases available.
Do Master or NautiNote have ads?
Neither Master nor NautiNote shows ads.
Which is updated more often, Master or NautiNote?
Master ships an update fortnightly, and NautiNote monthly. Most recently, Master was updated on October 22, 2026 and NautiNote on October 8, 2026.

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